I've still got my first new car, a red 1987 Toyota MR2. We had a party for its
100,000th-mile birthday a year or two ago and it's still running well. I have a
repainting question. One firm recommends painting it the same exact color, so
they can cut corners and not paint the door jambs and other places where I won't
really notice it. They say this will save me money because they won't have to
take off body parts and hardware.
I have no objection to saving a little money, but I want to make sure I get a
good paint job, since I plan on keeping this car through its 200,000th- and
300,000th-mile birthdays. Rust isn't a problem where I live. Should I have the
car thoroughly repainted inside and out, or is it OK to save a few bucks and
just paint the parts that show. -- Marcy

TOM: If you were planning to, say, sell the car to your brother, then I'd say
fine, cheap out and don't paint the door jambs.

RAY: But since you obviously love this car and are planning to keep it for the
long haul, I'd get a real paint job, Marcy. It's not much more expensive, and a
real body shop might even, for example, roll up the windows before spraying on
the paint.

TOM: More important, Marcy, in my opinion, you can't paint the car the same
color. After spending all that money, the goal is to feel like you've got a
brand-new car. And to do that, it has to be a brand-new color.

RAY: Just don't make the same mistake my brother did. Be sure that the new
exterior color you pick goes with the car's existing interior.

TOM: How was I supposed to know that a metallic burnt-orange body clashes with
snot-green seats?